Intelligent signal booster

ABSTRACT

The invention is a device for multi-band, multi-channel, wireless communications that automatically provides signal amplification when and where necessary, and that automatically avoids harmful interference to base stations and other parts of the communications infrastructure. The invention is a unique combination of an adjustable gain, bidirectional amplifier, a GPS receiver, a processor, and one or more removable, non-volatile, updatable memory devices. Alternatively, the memory can be an internal device accessible via an electronic port such as a USB. In either case, the memory stores comprehensive information that determines if, and how much, amplification is necessary at a particular location sensed by the GPS receiver. The device also includes a dedicated apparatus that permits a deactivation by remote control in the event of a malfunction.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional Utilitypatent application Ser. No. 12/319,242 filed on Jan. 6, 2009. The entireteachings of the above application(s) are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wireless communications boosters,including but not limited to cellular/PCS boosters, which automaticallyadjust their gain and reduce their interference by comparing their GPSderived positions with a collection of attributes stored in updatableelectronic memories. The memories may be either removable, ornon-removable with access via an electronic port.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless communication networks are limited, with respect to range andcoverage, by deterioration of signals to unacceptably weak levels.Indiscriminately boosting or amplifying signals by individualsubscribers, however, causes interference that can render large portionsof the network useless. Such interference causes harm to both thesubscriber and the service provider. The subscriber loses the servicethat he or she originally hoped to enhance by signal boosting. Theservice provider loses revenue from unrealized connections andeventually from lost subscribers dissatisfied with poor service. What isneeded is a communications booster that is sufficiently “smart” andfoolproof to know when and where to amplify or not to amplify.

In particular, a smart communications booster must be able to sensewhere it is located with respect to geographic areas exhibiting strongor weak signal coverage. For example, in an area of strong coverage, abooster can cause overwhelming interference to base stations with anunnecessarily amplified signal. To prevent such interference, the smartbooster must have continuous access to a coverage map so that it cancompare its location with the known geographic areas of strong and weakcoverage. Memory cards, which are essential parts of this invention, arethe ideal way to provide a map. Further, such memory cards may beremovable so that they can be revised or replaced as the areas of strongand weak coverage, and other attributes of the communicationsinfrastructure, change over time. Alternatively, fixed memory devicesinside a smart booster can be accessed from a port such as a USB(Universal Serial Bus) so that they may be similarly revised.

Methods presently exist to compensate for the deterioration of signals,with little or no attention to the interference those methods may cause.In the case of cellular and PCS communications networks, for example,four such methods are: 1) the use of bi-directional amplifiers, or BDAs;2) the construction of additional base stations or the extension of basestations in the form of distributed antenna systems; 3) end-userdeployment of femtocells, picocells, and microcells; and 4) the use ofprivate subscriber high gain antennas.

The above methods are straightforward in principle. BDAs boost bothuplink and downlink signals, without regard to signal strength.Additional base stations can provide service at locations where coveragewas not previously available. Femtocells extend coverage into smallregions such as home interiors by transferring the wireless link to theInternet. Individual subscribers can attach special purpose antennas totheir transceivers that provide signal gain. All of these approaches,however, have significant disadvantages.

BDAs boost both uplink and downlink signals whether the subscriber islocated far away from or in close proximity to a base station. In thelatter case, the boosted uplink signal overwhelms the base station,rendering it effectively inoperative Countless connections are droppedor never completed so long as the subscriber equipped with a BDA remainsin close proximity and the base station is disrupted by excess signalstrength. BDAs cannot sense their locations with respect to basestations. BDAs are completely uncontrolled by service providers, leavingthose providers unprotected. They cannot be remotely controlled, and soan adversely affected service provider cannot switch them off. Itfollows that BDAs cause substantial loss of revenue to serviceproviders.

To address the above problem with BDAs, there have been attempts to makethem adaptive, that is, automatically adjustable with respect to howmuch signal amplification is applied. For example, U.S. Pat. No.7,409,186 describes a booster which adjusts its output power accordingto the intensity of signals received from nearby base stations. However,these nearby base station signals may not actually emanate from thesubscriber's service provider. This results in “false positives”, whichcause incorrect adjustment of the BDA. Additionally, such adaptation isunable to recognize regulatory constraints placed upon network providersrequiring them to operate solely in certain geographic markets. As aresult, the device indiscriminately amplifies signals outside of acarrier's licensed geographic market, and infringes upon the markets ofother carriers.

Additional cell sites are not practical in many cases, especially at thevery locations where they might do the most good. In marginal areas withfew subscribers, the capital expenditure for a complete base stationcannot be justified. In residential areas, restrictive zoning and publicopposition may prevent the construction of new base stations.

Femtocells. picocells, and microcells are fundamentally different fromsignal boosters, with respect to both design and operation. They createan alternative network, in contrast to boosting the signal of anexisting network connection. Instead of routing communications to nearbycellular base stations, calls are instead intercepted by femtocelldevices and re-routed to the Internet. Further interaction with thecellular network is accomplished via the Internet, not via a wirelessconnection to a base station. It should be noted that when the Internetconnection fails, for example, during a natural disaster or otheremergency, the femtocell also fails. Femtocells are not transparent toall users. They must recognize the users by prearrangement. Further,those users are limited in number, typically to four. In contrast, asignal booster has no such limitations.

Further, in contrast to signal boosters, femtocells, picocells, andmicrocells are fundamentally unsuited to mobile operation because theymust be tethered to the Internet. So, except within the confines of asmall region, such as a home interior, they are not suitable for mobileuse. They are certainly not suitable for mobile stations inside ofvehicles and other wide ranging platforms.

Customized antennas for individual subscribers are generally notpractical. They are by definition expensive compared with mass producedantennas. They require specialized engineering knowledge by thesubscriber. For optimal results, they require timely knowledge of thecellular or PCS network, and that knowledge might not be available tothe public. Generally, customized antennas are large and must becarefully oriented, and so they are not suitable for mobile stations.They will likely interfere with new base stations constructed in theirvicinity. Where such construction eliminates the need for customizedantennas, those antennas may become a new source of interference. Againbecause of size or elevation on a tall tower, customized antennas may beprohibited by zoning restrictions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an intelligent, or “smart”, communications booster formobile stations, suitable for multi-band and multi-channel operation,including, but not limited to cellular and PCS (Personal CommunicationSystem) bands. It provides amplified signals where such signals wouldotherwise be weak and unusable, yet refrains from amplification when andwhere it is unnecessary and would cause harmful interference to basestations and other parts of the communications infrastructure. Toachieve this, the invention is a unique and novel combination of abidirectional amplifier with variable gain, a GPS receiver, a processor,one or more removable, updatable non-volatile memory devices, or aninternal memory device accessible via an electronic port such as a USB(Universal Serial Bus), and a dedicated telemetry deactivationapparatus, or “kill switch”. The bidirectional amplifier provides signalenhancement when needed. The GPS receiver senses the location of thebooster. The processor and memory devices determine whether or notamplification is necessary based upon the sensed location. Further, theprocessor and memory determine which communications bands and channelsare in use at the location, and provide amplification only for thosebands and channels. Finally, the kill switch permits a servicetechnician to remotely deactivate the booster in the event that itmalfunctions, or for other purposes determined by the network provider.Thus, this invention overcomes the chief disadvantages of existingcommunications boosters, which are, the harmful interference caused byunnecessary amplification, and operation in violation of FCC and otherregulations.

A unique feature of the invention is one or more removable and updatablememory cards, or alternatively, an internal memory that is accessiblevia an electronic port such as a USB. Thus, information about thelocation determined by the GPS receiver is kept current, ensuring thatamplification is provided and interference is avoided, according to themost recent configuration of the communications infrastructure. Further,the memory devices include security provisions so that they cannot bepirated and can be issued only by authorized entities, such as acommunications carrier provider. Finally, the memory devices includeunique identifying information so that, in the case of malfunction, aservice technician can remotely deactivate it. Deactivation commands maybe recorded, and the cumulative record can be used to determine if adevice recall is warranted.

In view of the above, it is therefore an object of the invention toautomatically provide variable amplification of communications signalsbetween mobile and base stations, or between fixed stations (such as abuilding) and network base stations, when such signals are otherwise tooweak to be useable.

It is another object of the invention to automatically avoidamplification when it is unnecessary and would cause harmfulinterference to base stations and other parts of the communicationsinfrastructure.

It is another object of the invention to use GPS (Global PositioningSystem) to automatically sense the location of the mobile station.

It is another object of the invention to use a processor plus memory toautomatically evaluate the location in order to determine the necessityof signal amplification, and to further determine details relating tothat amplification such as amplifier gain, and the particular part ofthe spectrum, that is, band and channel, to be amplified.

It is another object of the invention to provide one or more removableand updatable memory cards so that the latest configuration of thecommunications infrastructure is used to determine the need foramplification or for the avoidance of harmful interference.Alternatively, it is the object of the invention to provide an internalmemory device that is accessible via an electronic port such as a USB(Universal Serial Bus).

It is another object of the invention to provide security measures sothat the memory cards cannot be pirated or used in a manner such thatharmful interference would result to communications infrastructure.

It is another object of the invention to provide for remote deactivationby a service technician in the event of a malfunction. Further, it isthe object of the invention to provide a cumulative record ofdeactivations to determine if a particular unit should be recalled forreplacement or servicing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained byreference to the accompanying drawings, considered in conjunction withthe subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram view of a cellular booster with GPS base map,band-channel specific operation, and a dedicated telemetry apparatus forremote deactivation in the case of malfunction;

FIGS. 2A, 2C, and 2D taken together are a flowchart view of a thesoftware program required to operate the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a filter section of the preferredembodiment;

FIG. 5A is a schematic view of a summing and power amplifier circuit ofthe preferred embodiment; and

FIGS. 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6G and 6H taken together are a schematic view of amicrocontroller circuit used in the preferred embodiment. For purposesof clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the samedesignations and numbering throughout the figures.

Note that some of the above figures are revisions of those that appearin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/319,242 filed on Jan. 6, 2009. Inparticular, FIG. 1A replaces FIG. 1 in the original patent application.Similarly, FIGS. 2C and 2D, taken together, replace FIG. 2B. FIG. 5Areplaces FIG. 5. FIGS. 6G and 6H replace FIGS. 6A and 6F, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of the invention, showing a cellular boosteramplifier coupled to a Global Positioning System receiver to providegeographic coordinates, and also coupled to a Memory 104 containingcommunications related attributes such as bands, channels, and proximityto base stations at those geographic coordinates.

A novel feature of the invention is its ability to sense its geographiclocation. This is accomplished using Global Positioning System (GPS)signals incident on the GPS Antenna 100, which, in turn conducts thosesignals into the GPS Receiver 102. The GPS Receiver 102 delivers datausing a Decoder Bus 112 into a general purpose digital Processor 116.Within the Processor 116, a specialized Decoder 114 extracts thegeographic location of the device, expressed as a pair of coordinates,i.e., latitude and longitude. These coordinates are compared with storedpairs in the Memory 104, or Memory Bank 162 in the case that multiplememory cards are present, using the Latitude Bus 106 and Longitude Bus108. Along with each stored pair is a file of useful attributes for thatlocation. An example of an attribute might be proximity to acommunications tower or base station, the communications bands andchannels in use at that location, or the presence of a distinctivestructure such as a tunnel. These attributes are communicated from theMemory 104, or Memory Bank 162 in the case that multiple memory cardsare present, to the Processor 116 via the Attribute Bus 110. So, thecombined use of the GPS Receiver 102, Processor 116, and Memory 104 orMemory Bank 162 provides the invention with its unique ability to sensewhere it is located and what is unique and special about that location.

The invention also provides features relating to human factors whichinform the user of its status and activities. These features arecollectively displayed in the Indicators 144 component of the invention.The statuses of various device components are communicated via theStatus Bus 118, and are displayed as lights such as LEDs (Light EmittingDiodes). These lights are concentrated or clustered in the StatusIndicator 120. Attributes of special interest are described as text, andthese are communicated from the Processor 116 via the Text Bus 122 tothe Attribute Display 124. The Attribute Display 124 can be an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) or other type of legible display.

The main purpose for sensing the geographic location and relatedattributes is to selectively control the amplification of duplexcommunication signals using a Bidirectional Amplifier 130. To this end,the Processor 116 delivers control signals to the BidirectionalAmplifier 130 via the Enabler Bus 132. The control signals are logicallyarrayed or sorted according to band and channel. In the drawing, thearray is written as EN(M,N). EN is shorthand for “enabling array”. Mdenotes Band M, and N denotes Channel N. Thus, EN(M,N) is the enablingsignal for Channel N within Band M. The enabling signal itself has onlyone of two values, “on” or “off”. If it is “on”, then the BidirectionalAmplifier 130 is operational for Channel N within Band M. If theenabling signal is “off”, then amplification is not required and theamplifier is deactivated.

In operation, four enabling signals are communicated. One identifies theband or bands in use at the geographic location of the device. Itactivates the appropriate devices within the Multi-band Selector 134. Asecond signal identifies the channel or channels in use at thegeographic location. It activates the appropriate devices within theMulti-channel Selector 136. A third signal specifies the Gain 170 poweroutput control. The fourth signal actually activates or deactivates theamplifier or amplifiers specific to those band(s) and channel(s) usingthe On/Off Switch 138.

Thanks to its unique ability to sense geographic location and pertinentattributes, the invention instructs the Bidirectional Amplifier 130 toincrease or enhance the duplex communication signals only whennecessary. Base Downlink 154 signals are incident upon the Donor Antenna142, which in turn is connected to the Bidirectional Amplifier 130 withthe Donor Antenna Terminal 140. Similarly, Base Uplink 152 signals arebroadcast from the Donor Antenna 142, amplified if necessary. MobileDownlink 150 signals are transmitted from the Rebroadcast Antenna 126,which is connected to the Bidirectional Amplifier 130 with theRebroadcast Antenna Terminal 128. Mobile Uplink 148 signals are incidentupon the same Rebroadcast Antenna 126. Thus, duplex communicationbetween the Mobile Transceiver 146 and the Base Transceiver 156 isamplified only when necessary, preventing interference due tounnecessary or over amplification.

The invention may be disabled by activation of the Telemetry Kill Switch158. Activation of the Remote Control 168 by an authorized individualwill broadcast commands to query and control the invention via theTelemetry Downlink 166. The Telemetry Uplink 164 provides the RemoteControl 168 with the current operational state of the invention andverifies device compliance with any shutdown command received.Instructions relating tof the Telemetry Kill Switch 158 function arecommunicated to the Processor 116 via bus 160.

FIGS. 2A, 2C and 2D, taken together, are a flowchart description off thesoftware program required to operate the present invention.

The flowchart begins with a Start Block 200. Start Block 200 includesapplying power to the device by the user. Start Block 200 then proceedsto Initialize Hardware 202. Initialize Hardware 202 includes resettingthe Processor 116 internal memory 104 registers to pre-determinedvalues, setting certain software timing values to generate serial databaud rates appropriate for serial data communication with the GPSreceiver 102, setting certain software timing values to generate timingsignals appropriate for serial data communication with the Memory 104,and instructing the attribute display to accept command on a 4-bit databus.

Initialize Hardware 202 then proceeds to Uplink Amplifier Off 204, whichthen disables the uplink amplifier.

Uplink Amplifier Off 204 then proceeds to Update Controls 206, whichoutputs the corresponding Status Indicator 120 and Attribute Display 124information.

Update Controls 206 then proceeds to Memory Card Present Decision Block208, which determines the physical presence of the Memory 104. If theMemory 104 is not present, the device will continuously search in theMemory Card Present Decision Block 208 loop for the Memory 104 to beinserted. This search will terminate if either a Memory 104 is insertedor the device is turned off. If the Memory 104 is present, Memory CardPresent Decision Block 208 proceeds to GPS Lock Decision Block 210.

If a GPS signal is not being received an interval timer is set and GPSLock Decision Block 210 then proceeds to Timer Expired Decision Block212. Appropriate values for the interval timer associated with the TimerExpired Decision Block 212 range from approximately 30 seconds to 2minutes and are pre-determined. The purpose of the timer is to allowcontinued operation in the then existing mode of operation duringtemporary loss of GPS signals. Such situations occur frequently inparking garages, tunnels, canyons, large urban corridors and similartopographies.

If a GPS signal is not being received, the Increment Timer 214 willadvance by one second. If the interval timer associated with TimerExpired Decision Block 212 expires, the device will abandon the process246 of waiting for a GPS signal and proceed to GPS Amp Off 254 block,which will disable the uplink amplifier. GPS Amp Off 254 block thenproceeds to the Memory Card Present Decision Block 208.

If a GPS signal is being received, GPS Lock Decision Block 210 thenproceeds to the Get GPS Data 216 block, which transfers the GPSLatitude, Longitude, Altitude, Date and Time information to theProcessor 116. Get GPS Data 216 then proceeds to Decode GPS Data 218block which translates the serial data received on the Decoder Bus 112to values appropriate for further processing by the Processor 116.Decode GPS Data 218 block then proceeds to GPS Data Valid Decision Block220 which analyzes the syntax of the information received on the DecoderBus 112 and determines whether such data is corrupt or malformed. If theGPS data cannot be interpreted, GPS Data Valid Decision Block 220 thenproceeds to the Memory Card Present Decision Block 208. Note that inthis case, the then current operational status of the device is notaltered.

If the GPS data is received without errors, GPS Data Valid DecisionBlock 220 then proceeds to Decision Block 254, “Kill Flag Set?”, whichdetermines if the invention previously received a Kill Switch Messagecommand from the Remote Control 168. If a Kill Switch Message waspreviously received, the invention will disable Power Amplifier 524 andhalt all further operation until the Kill Flag variable is reset byqualified repair personnel.

Referring now to Decision Block 254, “Kill Flag Set?”, if the Kill Flagis not set, then the logic proceeds to 258, “Telemetry Msg Rcvd?”. If notelemetry message is received, then the program proceeds to AltitudeDecision Block 222.

Referring now to Block 258, “Telemetry Msg. Rcvd”,if a telemetry messageis received, then the program proceeds to Block 260, “Query Msg. Rcvd”.A query message instructs the invention to broadcast its uniqueidentification to the Remote Control 168. If a valid query message isreceived, then Block 260 proceeds to Info Block 262, “Transmit ID” whichbroadcast the invention's unique identification to the Remote Control168 via Telemetry Uplink 164. The program then proceeds to AltitudeDecision Block 222.

Referring now to Block 260, “Query Msg. Rcvd?”,if no query message isreceived, then processing continues to Block 264,“Suspend Msg. Rcvd?”. Asuspend message temporarily disables Power Amplifier 524 while awaitingfurther instructions to arrive via Telemetry Downlink 166. If a suspendmessage is received, then the program proceeds to Block 266, “Turn AmpOff”, which disables Power Amplifier 524. The program then proceeds toBlock 268, “Set Timer”, which sets a short duration timer, typicallyless than five minutes. “Set Timer” determines the maximum amount oftime the invention will wait for a command from Remote Control 168before returning the invention to normal operation. “Set Timer” Block268 returns to “Telemetry Msg. Rcvd?” Decision Block 258 via pageconnector #6.

Referring now to “Suspend Msg. Rcvd?” Decision Block 264, if the messagereceived is not a Suspend Message, then the program proceeds to DecisionBlock 272, “Kill Switch Msg. Rcvd?” If the message received is not aKill Switch message, then the program returns to Decision Block 258,“Telemetry Msg. Rcvd” via page connector #6. Alternatively, if themessage received is a Kill Switch message, then the program proceeds toBlock 274, “Turn Off Amp”, which disables Power Amplifier 524. Theprogram then proceeds to Block 276, “Update Controls”, which updatesDevice Status Indicators 120 and the Attribute Display 124. The programthen proceeds to Block 278, “Set Kill Flag Block”, which sets the storedkill flag. This stored software variable is available for subsequenttesting in Decision Block 254, “Kill Flag Set?”. The program thenproceeds to Block 280, “Stop”,which disables Power Amplifier 524 andhalts all further operation until the Kill Flag variable is reset byauthorized repair personnel.

Altitude Decision Block 222 where the GPS altitude information iscompared to a predetermined value, typically 15,000 feet. If the currentGPS-reported altitude is greater than this predetermined value, AltitudeDecision Block 222 then proceeds to Altitude Amp Off Block 224 whichdisables the uplink amplifier, and then onto Update Controls AltitudeOff Block 226 which updates the Status Indicator 120 and AttributeDisplay 124, and finally, returns program control to Memory Card PresentDecision Block 208.

Referring now to Altitude Decision Block 222, if the GPS-reportedaltitude is less than the predetermined value, typically 15,000 feet,Altitude Decision Block 222 then proceeds to the Authenticate Block 228,which verifies that the Memory 104 presently connected to the device isproperly authorized for use.

Authenticate Block 228 then proceeds to Memory Valid Decision Block 230which performs certain software security algorithms to determine whetherthe data files stored in Memory 104 have been pirated. If the MemoryValid Decision Block 230 detects tampering with the Memory 104 datafiles, Memory Valid Decision Block 230 then proceeds to Memory Amp OffBlock 232 which will disable the uplink amplifier. Memory Amp Off Block232 then proceeds to Update Controls Memory 234 to output thecorresponding Status Indicator 120 and Attribute Display 124information.

Referring now to Memory Valid Decision Block 230, if the data filescontained in the Memory 104 pass the software security algorithm and aredetermined to be authentic, Memory Valid Decision Block 230 thenproceeds to Find Base Map Record 236.

Search Base Map Records 236 searches the Memory 104 for a recordmatching the then current latitude and longitude data as retrieved fromthe GPS Receiver 102. Search Base Map Records 236 then proceeds to MatchFound Decision Block 238. If a record matching the then current latitudeand longitude data 395 can not be located within the Memory 104, MatchFound Decision Block 238 then proceeds to Match Amp Off Block 250 whichdisables the uplink amplifier. Match Amp Off Block 250 then proceeds toUpdate Controls Match 252 which outputs the corresponding StatusIndicator 120 and Attribute Display 124 information.

Referring now to Match Found Decision Block 238, if a record matchingthe then current latitude and longitude data is located within theMemory 104, Match Found Decision Block 238 then proceeds to DataEncrypted Decision Block 240. The Data Encryption Data Block determineswhether the matching record retrieved from Memory 104 is encrypted orencoded as a further security measure. If Data Encryption Data Blockdetermines that the matching record is encrypted or encoded, DataEncryption Data Block then proceeds to Decryption 244, where the data isunencrypted or un-encoded, as needed. Decryption 244 then proceeds toProcess 246.

If the Data Encryption Data Block determines that the matching record isnot encrypted or encoded, Data Encryption Data Block then proceeds toPass String 242, which accepts the Memory 104 record “as-is”. PassString 242 then proceeds to Process 246.

Process 246 enables or disables all possible combinations of M-bands andN-channels as determined by attribute data stored in the Memory 104 forthe then current unique latitude and longitude position. In the event noM-bands are enabled in the attribute data associated with the thencurrent unique latitude and longitude position, the uplink amplifier isdisabled accordingly. Process 246 Block then proceeds to Update ControlsOK 248 which outputs the corresponding Status Indicator 120 andAttribute Display 124 information.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed view of part of the invention, showing a blockdiagram for a preferred embodiment, focusing on how of the BidirectionalAmplifier 130 is selectively activated or deactivated according to theattributes retrieved from the Memory 104. The enabling signal E(M,N) forChannel N within Band M is communicated to the Multi-band Selector 134,Multi-channel Selector 136, and On/Off Switch 138 within theBidirectional Amplifier 130. From there, the signal is routed to aspecialized amplifier for the selected band. For example, if anamplifier for Band 1 is to be activated or deactivated, then the signalis directed to the Band 1 Uplink Amplifier 304. More generally, if anamplifier for Band M is to be activated or deactivated, then the signalis directed to the Band M Uplink Amplifier 328. No instructions arerequired by the Band 1 Downlink Amplifier 318 or by the Band M DownlinkAmplifier 342. They are on continuously because we are only concernedwith preventing interference by uplink signals that are unnecessarilyamplified.

It is seen that the main configurations in the block diagram arerepeated for each of M bands. For example, in Band 1, the Band 1 UplinkAmplifier 304 is connected to two duplexers. It is connected to the Band1 Donor Duplexer 312 by connecting to the Band 1 Uplink Amplifier OutputTerminal 308 to the Band 1 Donor Duplexer Input Terminal 310. It isconnected to the Band 1 Rebroadcast Duplexer 300 by connecting the Band1 Uplink Amplifier Input Terminal 306 to the Band 1 Rebroadcast DuplexerOutput Terminal 302. Similarly, the Band 1 Downlink Amplifier 318 isconnected to the duplexers via the Band 1 Downlink Amplifier 318 InputTerminal 320 and the Band 1 Downlink Amplifier 318 Output Terminal 316,which are connected to the Band 1 Donor Duplexer Output Terminal 322 andBand 1 Rebroadcast Duplexer Input Terminal 314, respectively.

Repeating the configuration seen for Band 1, more generally, the Band MUplink Amplifier 328 is connected to the Band M Donor Duplexer 336 byconnecting the Band M Uplink Amplifier Output Terminal 332 to the Band MDonor Duplexer 336 Input Terminal 334. It is connected to the Band MRebroadcast Duplexer 324 by connecting the Band M Uplink Amplifier InputTerminal 330 to the Band M Rebroadcast Duplexer Output Terminal 326.Similarly, for the Band M Downlink Amplifier 342, the Band M DownlinkAmplifier 342 Input Terminal 344 is connected to the Band M DonorDuplexer 336 Output Terminal 346; and the Band M Downlink Amplifier 342Output Terminal is connected to the Band M Rebroadcast Duplexer InputTerminal 338.

All of the duplexers are connected directly to antennas. In general, theBand M Donor Duplexer 336 is connected to the Donor Antenna 142 via aport called the Band M Donor Duplexer 336 Antenna Connection 348.Similarly, the Band M Rebroadcast Duplexer 324 is connected theRebroadcast Antenna 126 via a port called the Band M RebroadcastDuplexer Antenna Connection 350.

With the above described combinations of amplifiers, duplexers, andantennas, the invention is capable of providing selective amplificationin multiple bands, and for multiple channels within each band.

FIG. 4 is a more detailed circuit schematic of the band selection blockdiagram, showing a preferred embodiment of how amplifiers for specificchannels within each band are selectively activated or deactivated. Theamplifiers are active filters with gain. The filters are tuned to thechannel and band that are selected in response to the attributesretrieved from the Memory 104.

It is seen that, in operation, signals from the Mobile Transceiver 146that are in Channel 1 of Band 1 are incident upon the RebroadcastAntenna 126. From there, the signals are routed by the Channel 1Rebroadcast Duplexer into the Channel 1 Uplink Amplifier Input Resistor400, and from there into the Channel 1 Uplink Amplifier Input Terminal 1402. The Channel 1 Uplink Amplifier Input Terminal 2 410 is at groundpotential. The feedback loop of the uplink amplifier includesprincipally the Channel 1 Resonant Stub 408 which is a very highreactive impedance at the channel and band of interest, thus providinggain, but only if the enabling signal EN(1,1) is “on”. The resonant stubconnected as a series circuit element along the feedback loop viaChannel 1 Resonant Stub Terminal 1 404 and Channel 1 Resonant StubTerminal 2 406. The amplified signals are directed to the Band 1 SummingAmplifier 508 Input Terminal 442 via the Channel 1 Uplink OutputTerminal 414.

Downlink signals from the Base Transceiver 156 are routed into theChannel 1 Downlink Amplifier Input Resistor 418, and from there into theChannel 1 Downlink Amplifier Input Terminal 1. The Channel 1 DownlinkAmplifier Input Terminal 2 is at ground potential. Gain is determined bythe Channel 1 Downlink Amplifier Feedback Resistor 416 in the feedbackloop.

More generally, signals from the Mobile Transceiver 146 that are inChannel N of Band 1 are routed to the Channel N Uplink Amplifier InputResistor 422, and from there to the Channel N Uplink Amplifier InputTerminal 1 430. The Channel N Uplink Amplifier Input Terminal 2 434 isat ground potential. The Channel N Uplink Amplifier 436 is an activefilter. The filter is tuned to the Band 1 Channel N frequency by theChannel N Uplink Amplifier 436 Resonant Stub. This resonant stub isconnected as a series circuit element within the feedback loop viaChannel N Resonant Stub 428 Terminal 1 424 and Channel N Resonant Stub428 Terminal 2 426. The amplifier itself is activated or deactivated bythe enabling signal EN(1,N) via the Channel N Uplink Amplifier EnablingBus 432. The output of the amplifier is routed to the Band 1 SummingAmplifier 508 Input Terminal 442 via the Channel N Uplink AmplifierOutput Terminal 438.

FIG. 5A is a circuit diagram showing the summing and power amplifiers ofthe preferred embodiment. For each band, it is seen that the outputsfrom all channel amplifiers are directed into input resistors. Forexample, the output from the Band 1 Channel 1 Uplink Amplifier 304 isdirected into the Channel 1 Input Resistor to Band 1 Summing Amplifier500. More generally, the output from the Band 1 Channel N UplinkAmplifier is directed into the Channel N Input Resistor to Band 1Summing Amplifier 502. The signals are then combined at the Band 1Summing Amplifier Summing Node 504, and from there routed into the Band1 Summing Amplifier Input Terminal 1 510. The Band 1 Summing AmplifierInput Terminal 2 512 is at ground potential. The gain of the Band 1Summing Amplifier 508 is determined by the Band 1 Summing AmplifierFeedback Resistor 506.

The amplified, summed signals from all channels in Band 1 appear at theBand 1 Summing Amplifier Output Terminal 514. They are routed through ahigh pass filter, consisting essentially of a Band 1 High-pass FilterCapacitor 516 and a Band 1 High-pass Filter Resistor 518, to the Band 1Power Amplifier Input Terminal 520. The Band 1 Power Amplifier 522provides the final stage of signal gain as determined by control Gain170, and the final, amplified signal appears at the Band 1 PowerAmplifier Output Terminal 524. This signal is routed through the Band 1Donor Duplexer 312, and from there to the Donor Antenna 142 fortransmission to the Base Transceiver 156. Thus, selective amplificationof weak communications signals has been accomplished.

FIGS. 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6G and 6H, taken together, are a schematic view ofa microcontroller circuit used in the preferred embodiment.

A Voltage Regulator 608 is provided to step down an unregulated voltagepresent at the Unregulated Voltage Output Terminal 602 to a RegulatedVoltage Output 616 of at least 750 milliamps at a direct current voltageof 3.3 volts. A Fuse 600 is provided in series with the VoltageRegulator Voltage Input Terminal 618 to protect against over-currentconditions. The Voltage Regulator 608 is a switch-mode design andrequires a Voltage Regulator Control Resistor 604, a Voltage RegulatorFlyback Coil 610, a Voltage Regulator Diode 612, and a Voltage RegulatorCapacitor 614 for proper operation. This voltage regulator 608 isavailable from many manufacturers including National Semiconductor,Micrel Inc., and ON Semiconductors, having part numbersLM2575T-3.3/NOPB, LM2575-3.3BT, and LM2575T-3.3G respectively. Anelectrical ground is continuously applied to the Voltage RegulatorControl Input Terminal 606 that shall cause the Voltage Regulator 608 tooperate at all times. The Voltage Regulator Feedback Input Terminal 620constantly senses the Regulated Output Voltage and provides an erroradjustment internal to the Voltage Regulator 608 to compensate for anychanges in the Regulated Voltage Output 616. The Unregulated VoltageOutput Terminal 602 also supplies power to the Bidirectional Amplifier130.

LEDs are used to alert the user to the device's operational status. ThePower On LED 624 is illuminated whenever the device is powered andextinguished otherwise. The GPS Lock LED 626 is illuminated when asignal is available from the Global Positioning Satellite network andextinguished otherwise. The Amplifier ON LED 628 is illuminated when theBidirectional Amplifier 130 is actively amplifying any band or channel,and extinguished otherwise. The Map Inhibit LED 630 is illuminated whenthe Bidirectional Amplifier 130 is disabled in accordance with theattributes associated with latitude/longitude pairs retrieved fromMemory 104. All LED indicators 144 are interfaced to the Processor 116using an Opto-Isolator 622.

The Processor 116 communicates with the GPS Receiver 102 using a serialdata link conforming to the Electronics Industry Association RecommendedStandard 232 for serial binary data communications. This serial datalink uses a Serial Transmitted Data 642 connection for processor 116 toGPS Receiver 102 communication and a Serial Received Data 644 connectionfor GPS Receiver 102 to Processor 116 communication. A GPS Antenna 100is connected to the GPS Antenna Terminal 646 on the GPS Receiver 102.

An output Relay 654 is used to optionally provide power to theBidirectional Amplifier 130. This Relay 654 is controlled by theProcessor 116 and requires the use of a Relay Driver Input Resistor 648and Relay Driver Transistor 650 configured in a common-emitter mode toincrease the current available to the Relay 654 coil. The secondary ofthe Relay 654 provides a Relay Common Contact 656 and a Relay NormallyOpen Contact 658, together forming a Form-A switch. This Form-A switchis then used to connect the Unregulated Voltage Output Terminal 602 tothe Bidirectional Amplifier 130 power connector. A Relay Driver Diode652 is used to protect the rest of the circuit from excessive voltagespikes generated when the Relay 654 disengages.

The Processor 116 is an 8-bit microcontroller such as the AtmelAT89S8253-24PC or similar device. A Bypass Capacitor 634 is used tofilter the 3.3 volt DC supply to the Processor 116. The Processor 116 isreset automatically on device power-up and can be manually reset usingthe Form-A User Reset Switch 668 connected to an RC timing circuitconsisting of a Reset Capacitor 664 and a Reset Resistor 666. The timeconstant of this RC timing circuit shall be approximately 250milliseconds. A logic level high on the Processor 116 reset pin willreset the Processor 116. The Processor 116 is clocked by an internaloscillator derived from the Oscillator Crystal 674. Oscillator Capacitor1 670 and Oscillator Capacitor 2 672 provide enough capacitance to theProcessor 116 internal oscillator to guarantee rapid start-up.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operatingrequirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in theart, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen forpurposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications whichdo not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected byLetters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A movable, portable, standalone apparatus forenhancing range and coverage of communications networks, withoutchanging the operational state of those networks, enabling and enhancingcompliance with government regulations, comprising: a) a GPS antenna forreceiving signals from the Global Positioning System; b) a GPS receiver,for receiving and decoding a measured latitude, a measured longitude,and a current time; c) a removable, updatable memory, or a plurality ofremovable, updatable memories, or an internal memory accessible via anelectronic data port, for storing attributes organized according topredetermined latitudes and longitudes, said attributes comprisingproximity to communications towers or base stations, communicationsbands and channels in use at said latitude and longitude, the presenceof structures, and the presence of other communications infrastructurethat would be harmed by interference; d) an uplink amplifer and adownlink amplifier; e) a microprocessor, for collecting the measuredlatitude, longitude, and current time, retrieving said attributes fromthe memory that correspond to the closest match between the storedlatitude and the stored longitude and the measured latitude and themeasured longitude, and using solely said attributes to select a band, achannel, and an activate/deactivate setting of said uplink amplifier; f)a rebroadcast antenna, providing a wireless connection between thebooster and user equipment, such equipment to include communicationhandsets, wireless computers, wireless personal digital assistants,wireless video phones, smart phones, wireless computing devices, andtelemetry transceivers; g) an enabler bus, for providing electroniccontrol of the band and the channel selection, and theactivate/deactivate setting of said uplink amplifier; h) a multi-bandselector, for selecting operation in any one or more bands; i) amulti-channel selector, for selecting operation for any one or morechannels; j) a donor antenna, providing a wireless connection betweenthe booster and a base station transceiver in the cellular, PCS, orother radio service band.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theuplink amplifier is continuously adjustable with respect to the amountof amplification.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein power to theapparatus may be controlled by a kill switch, comprising: a) a telemetrytransceiver within the apparatus that communicates wireless signals toand from a remote control unit external to the apparatus; b) an antennaconnected to the transceiver that provides a wireless connection betweenthe telemetry transceiver and the remote control unit; c) a wiredconnection between the telemetry transceiver and the microprocessor sothat the microprocessor can recognize signals originating from theremote control unit, those signals to include a request for anidentifier unique to the apparatus, a command for the apparatus todeactivate, and a command for the apparatus to reactivate.
 4. Amulti-band, multi-channel, location-aware communications booster forreducing interference to communications networks, enhancing the rangeand coverage of those networks, without changing the operational stateof those networks, enabling and enhancing compliance with governmentregulations comprising: a) means for receiving signals from the GlobalPositioning System (GPS); b) means for extracting a measured latitude, ameasured longitude, and a current time of the communications boosterfrom the GPS signals; c) means for storing in a memory attributescontrolling operation of the booster organized according topredetermined stored latitudes and stored longitudes, said attributescomprising proximity to communications towers or base stations,communications bands and channels in use at said latitude and longitude,the presence of structures, and the presence of other communicationsinfrastructure that would be harmed by interference; d) means forretrieving said attributes from the memory that correspond to theclosest match between the stored latitude and the stored longitude andthe measured latitude and the measured longitude, and communicating saidattributes to a microprocessor; e) means for amplifying uplink signals;f) means for amplifying downlink signals; g) means for amplifying theuplink signals only on selected bands and channels; h) means for themicroprocessor to use solely said retrieved attributes to select theband, the channel, and an activate/deactivate setting of said means foramplifying uplink signals; i) means for the microprocessor to disablesaid means for amplifying uplink signals if the measured latitude andthe measured longitude are not sufficiently close to any latitude andlongitude stored in the memory; j) means for a wireless connection,using a rebroadcast antenna, of the booster to user equipment operatingin the cellular, PCS, or other radio service, such equipment to includecommunication handsets, wireless computers, wireless personal digitalassistants, wireless video phones, smart phones, mobile computingdevices, and telemetry transceivers; k) means for a wireless connection,using a donor antenna, between the booster and a wireless communicationnetwork in the cellular, PCS, or other radio service; I) means for thewireless connection of the booster simultaneously to multiple userequipments; m) means for the connection of the booster simultaneously tomultiple user equipments operating in different radio services; n)wherein the means for storing the attributes comprises a removable,updatable memory, a plurality of removable, updatable memories, or aninternal memory accessible via an electronic data port; o) wherein themeans for amplifying the uplink signals comprises an amplifier that iscontinuously adjustable with respect to the amount of amplification; p)means to control power to all internal components via a remote controldevice external to the communications booster.